Did we do the right thing?

[jberks]

The old man rang last night. Flying out in the early hours so popped into the local BP and popped 24l of unleaded in the tank. Fine, except its a 2003 E220cdi. Suffice to say, he was less than pleased with himself.
We've had a number of discussions on this subject but placed on the spot, my view was that if it had been 10l or so in a 60l tank, then ok, drive a few miles, fill up again etc, but 24/60l - too much to chance a £3k repair.
So, we got it a breakdown truck and hauled it over it to his mechanic who kindly waited for him (at 8pm - there's service for you!) and drained the tank. I haven't heard from him since so I assume he and his freshly refueled E220 made it to Manchester Airport this morning.
Would anyone have driven it?

 

[jibcl500]

I would have filled the tank with the correct fuel to dillute the mixture and carried on, wife sometimes fills the vectra with petrol but never fills it right up, ive taken it to a local station just to top it up with diesel and its not been a problem.

jib

 

[BlackC55]

NEVER drive them. The injection pump on common rail diesels rely on the diesel as a lubricant. The petrol is a solvent and will destroy the pump very quicky or cause premeture wear.

The wear is in the form of metal filings that get EVERYWHERE. New injectors, fuel lines, tank etc to repair.

 

[television]

As BalckC55 that was way over the top, and would knock years of life out of the injection components

6 liters is the max per full tank of diesel